Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Bronchial Asthma is characterized by inflammation and airway hyperesponsiveness, which results in episodic airflow obstruction. A relationship between inflammation and insulin resistance has been previously noted and asthma is known to correlate with insulin resistance.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of asthma in type 2 DM patients,presented in ‘IKEDA’ Hospital, in the period of time January 2010–December 2012.

Patients and methods: We examined all patients diagnosed with type 2 DM. We excluded patients taking other medications than antidiabetics, with familial history of asthma or other illness, and patients with any allergic risk factors. Type 2 DM has been diagnosed according to WHO criteria of 1985, and Bronchial Asthma was diagnosed with the use of GINA criteria.

Results: The total number of Type 2 diabetic patients was 240, of which 150 females and 90 males. The mean age was 58,5 (range 43–74 years old). 32 cases (13.3%) of the total number resulted with Bronchial Asthma. Most cases of them were evidenced in females, in the group-age of 50–60 years old, in patients with older history of diabetes and with/or higher BMI.

The most important result is the fact that the prevalence of asthma is lower in diabetic patients taking antiinsulin resistance therapy, as biguanides and thiazolidinediones.

Conclusion: Bronchial asthma is common in Type 2 diabetic patients, especially in those with higher BMI, that is related to high insulin resistance. This fact should be considered in these patients in the clinical practice.